DIVE right into the action of the Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026 as three Cornish windsurfers put their skills to the test.

The three Cornish sailors competing for the British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad are Sam Sills of Launceston, Max Beaman from Falmouth and Finn Hawkins of St Austell.

Proud Cornish windsurfer Sills is feeling more confident every day as the Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026 in Weymouth & Portland heats up.

The athlete from Launceston ensured he remains in medal contention at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, making the gold fleet on the second day of racing, ranked 23rd after the preliminary series.

Sills was met with a strong 20-knot wind in Portland Harbour, and a fourth-place finish was the highlight of the Brit’s day with eighth place and 14th-place finishes, as well as a discarded 29th-place performance, the rest of his results on Tuesday.

Sills ended his preliminary series with three top 10 performances from his first eight races in Dorset.

“It’s amazing to be here representing Great Britain, the organisers have done such an amazing job," said the Paris Olympian.

“The conditions were difficult; it was a lot stronger in the breeze. It was mental, I got the wind coming from the land, so it was very gusty and shifty at high speed.

“I was pretty nervous going into the first day of racing, but now we’re into thick of the action, I’m keeping it as simple as possible and pushing as hard as I can.”

Sills was proud to be part of a strong Cornish contingent in Dorset.

“I started sailing on Roadford Lake,” he added, “and I have good memories there.

“We have a strong Cornish team, and Finn was an amazing training partner ahead of Paris 2024. Max has also just finished at the University of Portsmouth, I'm happy he’s got the opportunity here.”

The British Sailing Team windsurfer will fight to make the finals series at the windsurfing and sailing venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

He made the top-half cutoff and will race in the elimination series from Wednesday to Friday, in order to decide the top 10 of the gold fleet who will have the right to race for medals.

Meanwhile St Austell windsurfer Hawkins is looking to fine tune tactics after staying in medal contention too.

The athlete from St Austell ensured he remains in the running at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy after making the gold fleet on the second day of racing, finishing in 17th place after the preliminary series.

Former European medallist Hawkins was met with a strong 20-knot wind in Portland Harbour, and a sixth-place finish was the highlight of the Brit’s day with eighth-place, 11th-place and a discarded 21st-place finish the rest of his results on Tuesday.

Hawkins ends his preliminary series with an upwind sprint slalom race win and four top 10 performances from eight races in Dorset.

He made the top-half cutoff and will race in the elimination series from Wednesday to Friday, in order to decide the top 10 of the gold fleet who will have the right to race for medals.

“The racing was nice,” Hawkins said, “it was really windy today, shifty and dusty. It was hard to know where to go all the time.

“I had an okay day, nothing that’s going to ruin my event. I’m going to need a big performance in the gold fleet.

“It was a completely different type of day compared tro Monday, but we’re used to the conditions here. It was about getting the tactics right.

“There’s a bit of confidence but there are also learning points and takeaways that I need to shift in, if I want to start punching up front,” the Cornishman added.

The British Sailing Team windsurfer will fight to make the finals series at the windsurfing and sailing venue for the London 2012 Olympics.

All the action is building towards the finale on Saturday, with a Fan Zone at Weymouth Pavilion bringing windsurfing to spectators and families by the Jurassic Coast seaside.

The elimination series start on Wednesday, September 9, in both men’s and women’s competitions, with 10 British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad athletes in the running.

Islay Watson is the leading British woman while Duncan Monaghan the leading British man, with five more British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad men in the running for the medal finals this weekend.

By Joseph Terry

The Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026 are taking place from September 7 to 12. Get closer to the action on the final day by visiting the Fan Zone on Weymouth Pavilion to enjoy a full day of live racing, big-screen coverage, music, family activities, food, and opportunities to get out on the water. Find out more at rya.org.uk